X-ray apparatus for treating diseases.



PATENTBD FEB. 3, 1903.

H. E. WAITE.

X-RAY APPARATUS FOR TREATING DISEASES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 8, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

nveufoz Taumn vNITILD STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. HENRY E. WAITE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

X-RAY APPARATUS FOR TREATING DISEASES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,915, dated February3, 1903. Application tiled March 8,1902. Serial No` 97,346. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E. WAITE, a citizen ofthe UnitedStates,residing at New York, in the county and State of New York, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in X-Ray Apparatus forTreatin g Diseases, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to X-ray apparatus, and has for its object toprovide an apparatus whereby the X-rays can be used in treating Variousdiseases, or more particularly whereby the rays may be confined to aspecific object, while adjacent objects or portions of the object areprotected, screened, or shieldedfrom said rays; and the inventionconsists in an apparatus embodying the various features of constructionand arrangement of parts having the general mode of operationsubstantially as hereinafter moreparticularlypointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective viewof an apparatus embodying my invention; and Fig. 42 is an enlarged sideview, partly in section, of

the apparatus.

The advantages of the use of X-rays in treating certain diseases havebeen recognized, and it has also been recognized that it is dangerous tosubject the body of the patient to the influence of said rays undercertain circumstances, and heretofore in treating a patient it has beencustomary to cover the portions of the body which it is desired not tobe subjected to the iniiuence of the X- rays with some sort of a shield,which will protect the body where desired and still allow the rays to beapplied at the proper point. For instance, in treating cancer of thethroat it has been suggested that a mask of sheetlead be tted `to theface except over the mouth, sovthat therays will not come in contactwith the body except at the particular portion desired. Such masks,however, are objectionable and uncomfortable for the patient and have tobe specially prepared to fit the particular part of the body adjacent tothe part being treated, and one of the principal objects of my presentinvention is to provide a simple, cheap, and effective apparatus wherebyany desired portion of the body can be subjected to the influence of X-rays, while other portions are shielded therefrom.

While so far I have referred to treating diseases, of course theapparatus can be used Afor other purposes, as in diagnosing diseases andthe like, and my invention is not limited to the particular uses namednor to the exact details of construction and arrangement of parts, whichof course can be varied by those skilled in the art without departingfrom t-he general principles of the invention.

In carrying out my invention I provide an X-ray generator, which in thepresent instance is indicated by the Crookes tube A, the construction ofwhich is Well understood by those skilled in the art, and which isadapted to be connected in a proper electric circuit, so that the X-raysare produced in the tube in a manner well understood. Arranged adjacentto this generator is'a suitable shield B, of some material impervious toX-rays, and while various materials may he used and it may be of anydesired shape I have shown it in the form of a lead disk. This shield isconnected to the generator in any suitable way, and in thepresentinstance I have shown connected with the disk standards C C,which are mounted on the face of the disk and preferably electricallyinsulated therefrom, as at c, and which at their free-ends are providedwith clips or bands c', adapted to engage and hold the X-ray generatorin proper position or relation with respect to the shield. This shieldis provided with a suitable opening b, adjacent to the generator and ina position to permit the 'denser portion of the stream of X-rays to passthrough the shield, While the other rays impinging upon the face of theshield are absorbed or otherwise prohibited from passingbeyond theshield. Connected to the shield on the face opposite to the X-raygenerator is a tube D, and this may be of any desired shape orconstruction and may be attached to the shield in any suitable way, inthe present instance it being shown as provided with flan ges d, bymeans of which it is attached to the shield B in any way, as by screwsor bolts d. This tube -D may be in the form of a cylinder, as shown inFig. 1, and is preferably made of some flexible material which iscapable of acting as a shield -to X-rays, and this can be bent or shapedto IOO tit the exact portion of the body or other object to Which thelrays are to be applied. In Fig. 2 I have shown the tube as beingtelescopic and therefore extensible, the portion D sliding on theportion D, attached to the shield.

It is manifest that Various forms and sizes of tubes can be used andthey can be made interchangeable, one being readily detached from theshield and another applied thereto, according to the requirements of anyparticular case, and the forms indicated in the drawings are simplytypical to explain the nature and scope of the invention.

The Whole apparatus is preferably mounted on a standard E by means of abracket F, secured to the shield and adjustably secured to the standard;but any other suitably support may be used.

With this construction it will be seen that a safe and ready means isprovided whereby the X-rays may be contined to any particular portion ofan object and the other portions of the object be shielded from theinfluence of said rays. Moreover, the shield arranged in this Way Willalso protect the operator as Well as the patient and enable the operatorto utilize the rays to the best advantage for the purpose intended.

What I claim is- 1. The combination with an X-ray generator, of an X-rayshield connected to the generator and having an opening for the passageof X-rays, and a tube connected to the shield opposite the opening,substantially as described.

'2. The combination with an X-ray generator, of an X-ray shieldconnected to the generator and having an opening for the passage ofX-rays, and an adjustable tube connected to the shield opposite theopening, substantially as described.

3. The combination With an X-ray generator, of an X-ray shield connectedto the generator and having an opening for the passage of X-rays, and aieXible, adjustable tube connected to the shield opposite the opening,substantially as described.

4. The combination With a standard of an X-ray shield having an openingsupported on the standard, an X-ray generator connected to the shield onone side thereof, and a tube through which the X-rays pass,connected tothe shield on the other side, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY E. WAITE.

Witnesses:

HARRY A. WAITE, E. H. OPITZ.

